Ogun customs seize N84m smuggled goods

The Ogun State Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted smuggled goods worth N85 million.

The contrabands were intercepted within one week during which four operatives of the command were injured and an operational vehicle smashed by the smugglers.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Idiroko Customs Area Command on Thursday, the Ogun State Controller of Customs, Sani Madugu said the feat was recorded following intelligence and relentless efforst of his men.

He said that despite the attack on his men, Customs operatives were able to repel the fiendish smugglers.

The contrabands include seven fairly used cars and one brand new Hilux van, 1,479 bags of foreign rice, two Boxer motorcycles, 78 kegs of vegetable oil and nine other vehicles used by smugglers to convey the rice.

Madugu noted that about 11,000 bags of rice had been donated by the Ogun Area Customs Command to the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in the northeast.

He said:” an Anti-smuggling activity in the Ogun Area Customs Command is ongoing. We are succeeding every day. Yestreday, we had a tough one with smugglers in the Idiroko axis but we thank God that we succeeded in evacuating our seizures unhurt.We were able to intercept a brand new Toyota Hilux van. We have a couple of other seizure including five fairly used cars parked in a hidden place. We are following the smugglers by using intelligence and we don’t need to fight with them on the road.

‘’We have devised new strategy for fighting smuggling activities and we are getting results. Over 1,400 bags of rice were among the seizures and nine vehicles used to convey the rice. In all, we have a total number of seven fairly used(Tokunbo) vehicles and a brand new white Toyota Hilux van among the contrabands. The goods are worth N84,067,953 and the seizure was recorded within one week.

‘’ During the operation, the smugglers threw stones at our men and vehicles. One of the operational pick up vehicles was smashed; they broke its windscreen and doors while four of our operatives were wounded. One of the wounded officers are here while others are responding to treatment in a hospital. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the smugglers and their collaborators ; they will be prosecuted after their arrest.”

Madugu said his Command cannot be intimidated by smugglers, warning those engage in the illicit to desist from the nefarious business in their own interest.